Yashikiyama Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Katsuragi, Japan
Yashikiyama Kofun is a circular burial mound surrounded by a moat, dating from the 3rd to 6th century. Its distinctive form and surrounding water feature are typical of tomb construction from this early Japanese period.
The mound was built during the Kofun period when regional clan leaders constructed massive tombs to display their power and authority. This practice spanned several centuries and shaped the landscape of early Japan.
The terracotta figures placed around the mound once served as markers of sacred ground in burial rituals. They reveal how people of that era understood death and the relationship between the living and their ancestors.
The site is accessible via designated walking paths that let you view the burial mound safely from various angles. Informational displays are positioned throughout the grounds to help you understand what you are seeing.
Excavations revealed artifacts that show clear differences in social rank among people of that era. The objects unearthed offer a direct window into how power and status were distributed in early Japanese society.
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